Handbag



May 12, 1936 f D. RosENzwElG Y HANDBAG Filed March 12, 1936 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented May 1 2, 1936 UNITED STAT-Es PATENT OFFICE HANDBAG Y David Rosenzwcig, Perth Amboy, N. J. Application `March 12, 1936, .Serial No. 68,428

3 Claims. (Cl. 15G-42) This invention relates to devices such as portable receptacles.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described comprising an improved frame structure of generally arcuate form so as to be adapted tol fit the body of the wearer when carried under :the arm.

Another object of the invention vis the provision of a device of the nature set forth comprising an arcuate frame structure including a spring element adapted to be bowed into and out of closing position, together with associated improved means for Voperatively interengaging the frame parts to facilitate the fabrication of the bag in quantity production, and also to assure sufficient strength of the frame for reliable use.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a device of the nature set forth comprising a rigid arcuate frame member and a spring associated in bowed relation therewith together with improved means so arranged in relation to the frame structure as to facilitate the relatively easy outward bowing of the spring member into open position as by producing an initial ogee configuration of the spring member. A supplemental object is the co-ordination of this feature together with a bag closing lip on the rigid member so as to avoid the possibility of loss of small objects from the bag, and wherein the spring member is neatly secured or encased by a portion of the bag so as to be relatively inaccessible `for opening manipulation except by a lateral pull exerted nearer to one end of the frame structure than to the other end thereof.

In a portable receptacle or frame structure of the type alluded to, it is essential that the spring member shall have a sufcient degree of stiffness to reliably hold the receptacle closed against accidental opening movement and against being forced open by the contents of the receptacle. While it is comparatively easy to close a frame of this type when the spring member is in outwardly bowed open position, it is considerably more difficult to move the latter member into open position, because in the first mentioned case, a pressure is exerted on, the frame, whereas in the latter case, a pull must be exerted on the spring member. Since the arcuate conguration of the rigid frame member is preferably considerable, and the spring member ought to relatively closely hug the same in closed position, there is quite a powerful resistance exerted against the outward opening movement of the spring member. Furthermore, small variations in size or arrangement of the members of the frame, varying lthicknesses of fabrics that may be employed, and other factors may quite considerably vary the force exerted for opening the frame.

According to this invention provision has been made for overcoming the defects mentioned and to produce a device which canbe readily made to operate with ahigh degreeoi uniformity and efficiency.. while the two .frame members are preferably interconnectedby positive hinge means to prevent unintended relative .movements which may result `in disengagement of lthe frame 'members .from each .other and which may -cause the frame to lose the high degreeof :stability required in the `relations of its .frame members, .nevertheless I have .provided means and arrangements such that resilience of the flange of the rigid frame member .is utilized `to render easier the deection or deformation of the spring member. I have lalso .provided `means whereby the `hinge axes can be readily varied or adjusted so as to overcome discrepanciesin manufacture of the frame. I have further provided bag portions framed 'in such manner as to tend to conceal the hinges. The foregoing improvements `result in a satisfactoryworkmanlike device which is reliable and inexpensive to produce.

. Another object of the invention has been to providea device of the type mentioned having improved means whereby a break in the spring member is permitted uponA outward movement thereof relative to the arcuate frame member, andthe spring member nevertheless maintaining a uniform Varcuate outwardly bowed configuration to produce the maximum degree of opening of the bag or other receptacle connected thereto. A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the `class alluded to having relatively few-and simple parts and which is neat and compact, inexpensive Vto manufacture, durable, reliable and eiiicientfin use.

Other` objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds. l

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements oi parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated in the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 'is a view in side elevation showing a device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 isa top plan view thereof in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. A

Fig. 4 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional View of the frame in closed position.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the frame with the spring member initially `bowed for opening and showing in dot-dash lines the vspring member in full open position.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal View in elevation showing a modified frame.

Fig. 8 is a top plan View in partially open position and showing the full open position in dotdash lines.

'Ihe advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the same structure, but, useful devices maybe produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exempliflcations of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, III denotes a device embodying the invention. The same may include a portable receptacle having a suitable bag II together with a frame I2 extending along the mouth thereof. The frame I2 is of arcuate formation along the length thereof, and rigidly maintains this configuration so that it will readily fit against the body of the user when carried under the arm. The bag II consists of any flexible or pliable material such as leather, textile fabric or the like and will readily tend to follow the configuration of the frame and to open and close therewith. 'Ihus it is seen that one side wall I3 of the bag II assumes a somewhat arcuate form whereas the opposite side wall I4 may be relatively straight or may even bulge slightly laterally due to fullness resulting from the arcuate conguration.

The frame I2 may include a rigid frame member I5 and a companion spring member I6. These frame members may be of substantially equal length and are suitably hingedly interconnected at their ends as at I7 so that the spring member I 6 may be sprung into opposite bowed relation to the rigid frame member I6. Thus in the closed position of the device I0, the spring frame member I6 follows comparatively closely along the rigid frame member, and in open position, is bowed in opposite relation thereto as shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 5 to produce an opening of substantial size for the bag II. It will be understood that between open and closed positions, the spring member I6 snaps'past a position of dead center, and that throughout the path of movement of the spring member, the same and the rigid member lie in substantially one plane.

To facilitate opening movement or deformation of the spring member I6, the same may include means such as I8 for causing an ogee configuration to be eifected in the spring member as shown in Fig. 5 to thus facilitate the easy opening'of the frame. This means I8 is positioned more closely to one end of the spring member I6 than to the other end thereof, whereby a pivotal or swinging motion of a sectionY of the spring member is produced about the adjacent hinge I1, thus resulting in the ogee formation mentioned and rendering easier the opening movement of the spring member. Preferably, the means I8 may be laterally connected to the spring member I6 for exerting a direct outward pull thereon, and may include a stud I9 secured to the spring member and carryinga conventional swingable linger ring 20.

Desirably the rigid frame member I5 includes a longitudinally extending lip or flange 2I which projects laterally to overlie the spring member I 6 in the closed position of the latter. In this manner a substantially more reliable closure is obtained and the loss of small articles from the bag l I prevented. Since the lip 2I lies wholly outside of the bag, no obstruction to the interior of the bag is caused. At the same time, the accessibility of the spring frame member I8 is substantially reduced, rendering important not only the provision of the improved opening means I8, but also the lateral positioning thereof. As a matter of fact, because the bag wall I4 has its upper portion arranged to encase the spring member I6 as shown at 22, accessibility of the latter is further reduced, and obviously it would not be desirable to attempt to open the frame structure by exerting a pull on the bag wall I4.

To facilitate inexpensive fabrication of the device IU, I have devised the rigid frame member I5 in the natureof a metal channel member having an outer flange 23 and an inner ange 24. The lip 2| may constitute a horizontal flange of an angle member 25 whose vertical flange is received within the channel member and is suitably secured to the inner ange 24 as by soldering or in any other convenient manner. The bag wall I3 has its upper portion 26 received in the channel member and securely clamped therein. As hereinbefore stated, the companion bag wall I4 is arranged to encase the spring frame member I6.

While diierent types of hinged structures may be used, I preferably employ hinges I l which are of positive type in the sense that there is no relative movability of their parts to prevent dislocation of elements of the frame structure, and, on the contrary, to cause that high degree of reliability and regularity in action and position which is essential in a well constructed properly nished handbag. Each of' the hinge means I'I may include a hinge section 27 that may be integral with the plate or angle member 25, the spring frame member I 5 having suitable companion hinge portions for engaging the hinge sections or ears 2l as about a pintle 28 in a conventional manner. In order to provide for adjustability of the axis of the hinges I 7, the latter are desirably located outside the channel member I 5, and by producing the plate 25 in a relatively yieldable metal, the hinge sections may be bent toward and away from the spring member I6, to thus vary the clearance between the frame members I 5 and I E5 according to the thickness of intervening fabric and to allow for possible variations in the manufacture and assembling of the frame.

The desirable location of the hinge means I'I above mentioned requires that the same shall be rendered relatively inconspficuous, and this result I produce by inwardly folding end portions v253 of the bag wall I3 and securing the portions 29 in the channel member I 5 to thus not only cover up the ends or" the frame member I5, but also to produce projecting fabric portions 3@ which thus tend to conceal the hinges I'I at least at the front side I3 of the bag.

Owing to the relatively considerable stiiness of the spring frame member I5 to reliably hold the bag closed against an internal pressure of its contents, it is desirable to provide for a supplemental resilient means or action to render easier the outward deformation and opening movement of the spring member. I have found that this result can be successfully obtained by connecting ythe plate 25 solely to the inner ange 24 of the 'channel member and preferably by confining the connection to the portion adjacent the upper free edge portion of the flange 24, whereby the natural resilience o-f the inner flange 24 is utilized in a high degree to afford a small degree of relative movement between the axes of the hinges I1, as by permitting a spread which facilitates outward snapping of the spring member I6.`

It will now be seen that I have provided a po-rtable receptacle I which is well adapted for quantity production even when constructed to meet the unusual requirements of a ladys handbag and which is reliably maintained closed without requiring supplemental fastening means and which snaps into open and closed positions by a simple pull or pressure and is conveniently maintained in the different positions, where the device IIJ is well adapted to fit against the body of the user to be carried under the arm. As hereinbefore stated, the success of a bag of this type will depend in large degree upon providing a relatively stiff spring such as I3 to assure not only the reliable closing of the bag against internal pressure of its contents, but also to properly support the wall 2|] in both open and closed positions against the weight of the bag contents. Hence I have provided means which will not increase the cost of manufacture nor complicate the motions involved, and yet afford a supplemental yielding character or resilience to facilitate particularly the opening movement of the spring frame member, and especially to cause the latter to travel into open position according to a special configuration. It will be noted that the latter result may be particularly easily accomplished if the operator grasps the finger ring 20 and exerts a counter pressure against the adjacent end ofthe frame structure to obtain a leverage for outwardly pulling upon the member 20.

In Figs. 7 and 8 is shown a modification of the invention whereby opening movement of a spring such as I6 is further facilitated. Thus the frame such as I2a may comprise any suitable rigid arcuate member such asl I5a and a spring frame member such as I6a, these members being pivotally or hingedly interconnected at their ends as at I1. According to this invention, the spring frame member I6 is adapted to break upon exerting an outward pull thereon to thus render easier the deflection of the spring toward and past dead center positions. However, this breaking of the spring occurs not only in one direction so that when the spring I6a is outwardly bowed as shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 8, no break will occur, but the spring will follow a suitable uniformly arcuate shape to assure an opening of substantial size in the bag I I. For example, the spring member IGa may be split as at 3I to provide sections 32, 33 interconnected at the split as` by a conventional one-way hinge 34. This one-way or butt hinge 34 having a stop tongue 34a,I is thus located at a point intermediate of the hinges I'I and is desirably positioned nearer* to one of them than to the other so as to assure adequate tendency of the spring tomaintain a closed position. The hinge 34 permits relative swinging movement ofl the sections 32, 33 about. its axis in an inward direction and while the hinge 34 ismoving outward under a pull exerted at the element I9 on the section 33. This breaking of the spring eliminates the stiffness of the spring at the point 3I so that the section 32 moves readily outward,

thereby immediately reducing the effective length of the spring and thereupon causing a gradual outward dediection of the section 32 so that the frame can be opened with considerably less pull than would otherwise be required.

In the closed position, the sections 32, 33 naturally lie closely against the rigid arcuate frame member I5@ and thus reliably hold the bag closed. Since the breaking point 3| is spaced from the central region of the bag and positioned near an end of the same, the tendency toward accidental opening of the lbag is reduced. In open position, the frame structure follows a configuration exactly the same as that of the frame I2 and the hinge 34 may also facilitate the closing of the frame. In all other respects, the structure of the frame I2a will be exactly like that of the frame I2.

I claim:

1. A handbag including a bag, a rigid arcuate channel frame member, a companion strip spring frame member, a plate extending along the channel member interiorly thereof and being secured to the inner flange of the channel member, said plate having a longitudinal lip overlying the inner flange and also overlying the spring frame member in the bag closing position thereof, said plate having hinge end portions at the ends of the channel frame member, said spring frame member having its ends connected to said hinge ends so as to snap into open and closed position in outward and inward bowed relations to the channel member, the bag having one side wall encasing the spring frame member and the opposite side wall being extended over the outer flange of the channel member and secured therein, the said plate being of yieldable metal and the hinge portions thereof being outside of the channel member so as to be bendable toward and away from the spring frame member for adjusting the relation between the latter and the channel member.

2. A handbag according to claim 1, wherein the bag includes portions folded over the ends of the outer flange of the channel member and secured therein to thus provide extensions at the ends of the channel member tending to conceal the hinge portions.

3. A handbag including a frame having an arcuate rigid frame member, a companion spring frame member, said members being pivotally interconnected at their ends so that the spring member can be sprung past dead center position into bowedV positions, including an inwardly bowed closed position of relatively snug engagement with the rigid member therealong, and an outward bowed open position, the spring mem-- ber being split into two sections intermediate of its ends and comprising hinge means interconnectng said sections, said hinge means permitting swinging movement thereabout of an adjacent portion of one section away from the rigid member to facilitate opening movement while the other section is gradually sprung away from the rigid member, and the hinge means preventing opposite relative movement of the sections so that in the open position the hinge means maintains a generally uniform outwardly bowed configuration of the spring member.

DAVID ROSENZWEIG. 

